Instant Noodles and Beyond: A Comic Book with Recipes for Souped-Up Ramen, Mac & Cheese, and More – An Illustrated Cookbook from the Award-Winning Author of Cook Korean!

by Robin Ha

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Genres: Cookbooks, Adult, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels

176 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Born in Seoul, Korea, Robin Ha grew up reading and drawing comics. At fourteen she moved to the United States. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, she moved to New York City and started a career in the fashion industry. Her work has been published in independent comics anthologies including Secret Identities and The Strumpet, as well as in the pages of Marvel Comics and Heavy Metal Magazine. Her blog Banchan in 2 Pages features Korean recipe comics. She currently resides in Falls Church, Virginia.

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Instant Noodles and Beyond is a well written, illustrated, versatile cookbook with recipes developed (and illustrated) by Robin Ha. Due out 26th Aug 2026 from William Morrow on their Harvest imprint, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback/softcover and ebook formats.

This is precisely what is promised on the cover: a graphic novel about everyone's favorite go-to instant noodles along with lots (and LOTS) of extra accompaniments, glow-ups, sides, and homemade condiments. The first section contains an interesting history with comments on ramen's development and differences in different countries to basic prep info and pantry lists. The recipes aren't arranged thematically, but it's a fun book to page through and read more or less cover to cover.

Recipe ingredients are given in a bullet list highlighted text bar (with a cute notebook paper graphic). Measurements are in imperial (American) units. Ingredients will be readily available in any grocery store in North America, though some will require an international grocery/Asian food store.

The book could use some better organization; the recipes aren't arranged in any real discernable order, there's no table of contents, so readers will want to employ post-it tabs or some other method of marking favorites. The author/publisher have included a cross referenced index, so that helps.

Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent choice for public library or home use. It's a solid recipe book which will be used. It would make a superlative housewarming gift to a friend or family member living on their own - college student, new graduate, newlyweds, kids flying the nest, etc.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[LM · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the cover of this book, I was 100% in. The eye-catching cover, my love of ramen, and my background in graphic design. I had to get it. This isn't your normal ramen cookbook. To be honest, this is the second ramen cookbook I've read. Ramen is a staple in Asian cultures. It has a stigma of being unhealthy and cheap. Both could be true...but also very untrue. Ramen is what you make it. As a child, my mother always made well-balanced ramen. Trying very hard to appease two very picky daughters, she loaded it with fresh vegetables, soft-boiled eggs, and healthy protein. As a mom, I would sprinkle Pokemon shapes, vegetables, and boiled eggs for my son's ramen. This book takes it a step further. There are some VERY intriguing combinations in here. There are at least a dozen that I HAVE to try. And the artwork. I am here for the amazing illustrations!!!! What a fun gift for a ramen lover for a birthday or Christmas. Make a basket of various ramen packages, a nice ramen bowl, chopsticks, and this book! You're welcome! One size fits all! I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Robin Ha, William Morrow | Harvest Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC. Such a fun (and yummy) book!

[Karalee Shotola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instant Noodles and Beyond is a cookbook with 93 instant noodle recipes. The cookbook begins with an introduction to the difference between ramen and ramyeon, the types of ramyeon, essential staples, and side dishes for ramyeon. Then there are the recipes for ramyeon soups, brothless ramyeon, cold ramyeon, and nontraditional dishes, including those with boxed mac and cheese. Each recipe includes the serving size, prep and cooking times, ingredient list, instant noodles recommendations, illustrated directions, and an illustration of the final dish. I love the comic book style as it does make the cookbook fun to look through. Also, there are numerous dishes I would love to try, like the Creamy Mushroom Ramyeon, Menemen Ramyeon, Korean Cucumber Salad Ramyeon, and Creamy Zucchini Mac & Cheese. I would recommend this cookbook to anyone who enjoys instant noodles and is looking for new, creative ways to make them.

Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review.

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: Let's go on a journey of instant noodles. Where did they come from? Is it just ramen? And is there a way to build a high-end ramen from instant? Let's find out.

Story Telling: This is a recipe book written in a comic book format.

Artwork: We get manga styled artwork, and each step is well illustrated, and articulated.

Likes: There is a n explanation of the different kinds of mix-ins to use in ramen, as well as how to make the specialty mix-ins that you might need, like kimchee.

We use everything from ramen packs to Kraft Mac & Cheese boxes for these recipes.

This is a great suggestion book for upgrading your ramen. The bonita flakes might taste pretty good.

Conclusion: This is an interesting book. If you have a taste for ramen, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be the perfect gift for a college student.

I originally expected it to be a silly novelty cookbook, but it’s actually a genuine labor of love. The care and effort that went into it are obvious. The artwork is beautiful, the historical sections are well researched, and it’s full of thoughtfully developed recipes.

Recipes
• The recipes vary widely in complexity. Some are perfect for college students with nothing more than an electric kettle and a few pantry staples. Others are legitimate noodle dishes that just happen to use instant ramen as a base.
• The ingredients vary just as much. Some recipes incorporate unconventional ingredients like watermelon. That said, a few combinations sounded questionable to me. Instant ramen with brie, milk, and oysters? I don’t know…
• There are also several boxed mac and cheese recipes included at the end, which was a fun addition.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and informative cookbook. I loved the illustrations and the history of instant noodles woven into the recipes. The recipes look delicious and are so easy to follow.

I love eating instant ramen, probably eat it too often, and this book will definitely help elevate my options. Way better than some of those recipes you see in videos online. The illustrations make it easy to follow. The ingredients are easy to find and listed with pictures so you can go to the grocery store and find it visually.

I like that they suggest specific ramen for each recipe so you can pick your favorite or the option you can find out of the suggestions. I will definitely be making some of these recipes in the near future.

I received a free copy through NetGalley, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the ARC of this upcoming book.

5 stars

What a fun way to present a cookbook, in graphic novel format. I loved the illustrations - they had the perfect mix of cute and realistic. There was a nice history of instant noodles and many, many recipes, with very clear illustrated instructions, for making instant noodles. Most of the recipes are meant to be made with packets of ramen, but there are also a handful that use mac & cheese, which at first seemed a little out of place, but then I realized they are also “instant noodles.”

This book would be a very fun gift for any holiday or birthday!

[RobbyReadsActually · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Robin Ha for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok so me and my husband just went through a ramen phase and I was trying to find recipes to spruce it up a bit. Just using the packaged ramen can get kind of boring. And then all of a sudden this cook book pops up when I was searching for new titles, so it seemed like fate lol.

This is such a unique cookbook and I love the illustrations. I can’t wait to try some of the recipes soon. This is something I would definitely purchase for myself or as a gift for my friends and family that also love ramen.

If you love packaged ramen, you’re going to love this!

[Mary Evers · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

If the cover and title alone aren't enough to make this book a winner, than the author certainly is. I swear that Robin Ha can do no wrong in my eyes. I love everything she does. But a warning to readers.... DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WHILE HUNGRY! Biggest mistake I made, now I'm stuck at work waiting to be done so that I can stop at the store on the way home and try some of the recipes in this book! I loved that she provides images with specific/popular brands to help make ingredient shopping easy for those of us who don't always shop for these items/visit Asian grocery stores.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book about such a delicious food! This is much more than a recipe book; it's a heartwarming story of history and connection. Robin Ha shares her personal love of ramen as well as it's rich history and world-wide variations. The illustrations are absolutely stunning and will do a lot to assist anyone who may not be a professional chef in the kitchen. I am shocked at the number of recipes included - the author even provided such a wide variety of substitutions and recommendations! I will definitely be picking up a copy once it's published.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harvet for the advanced review copy!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely cook book. The graphic novel format keeps everything fun and engaging to read, and looks absolutely gorgeous. I really appreciate the little bits of history of some dishes scattered through out the book. There are so many different ramyeon recipes that I think anyone who is a lover of instant noodles will find tons of new things to try.

Thank you William Marrow and Netgalley for the ARC!

[Marily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free arc. The cover immediately pulled me in and the illustrations inside did not disappoint. They were so bright and colorful! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into this, but it really blew me away. The recipes were explained well and easy to follow, but my favorite parts of the book were the historical and cultural pieces. I learned even more than I was expecting!

[Adri Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was packed with yummy and interesting information!

I had no idea that ramen originated in the early 20th century in Japan when Chinese immigrants in Yokohama began selling affordable dishes to laborers. The author also includes: the history of ramen/ramyeon, the difference between the aforementioned, the anatomy of ramyeon, how its made, and so much more!

#ThxNetGalley #RobinHa #InstantNoodlesandBeyond

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for access to an arc of Instant Noodles and Beyond.

I love instant noodles, but specifically requested this arc because my sister loves instant ramen recipes. She makes her own recipes, but I thought it would be fun to make a few from this book.

The illustrations in the book were top-notch and easy to follow. I enjoyed the comic book/manga aspect of the book.

I plan to get a copy for myself/my sister when the book comes out.

[Brittney E’Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review this cookbook. This was such a fun way to read more about ramen. Not only do you get creative recipes but you get history of how it was created. While I think the Marconi chapter threw me for a loop with its randomness, I do see myself gaining a new recipe or two to try out.

[Singe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc

This is such a fun cookbook
Very informative, from teaching how instant ramen / ramyeon came to be, how they are made in the factories and just how to get creative with your instant noodles. The recipes are super easy to follow, even showing which brand they recommend to use.

[Quiet Reads Studio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cookbook. I appreciated the history behind instant noodles and the step-by-step instructions for the different recipes. The illustrations were also well done and added a lot to the book.

*** Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for early access. All opinions are my own. ***

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Within the first 10 pages, I instantly pre-ordered the book to keep at home. If you are a ramen, soup or mac and cheese fan. THIS IS THE BOOK! The illustrations are so freaking beautiful. The book is easy to follow for all recipes ( ALL AROUND THE WORLD). I wish more cookbooks were like this- Easy to read, and recipes you want to actually eat. 5/5 stars!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun graphic novel cookbook that shows the reader different recipes with instant noodles.

[pining.deciduous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is this cookbook adorable but it also has a great explanation of the history and cultural references behind instant noodles. The recipes are explained thoroughly but still in an entertaining way.